An artful world, society, or neighborhood, is a heartful world, society or neighborhood.

We are devoted to upholding the sacred and important fine arts and quality artistry, outstanding quality artisans & elegant artistic visions made reality.

Ideally we can all benefit immensely from quality art and knowledgeable practitioners. In Culturvation we share the incredible beauty and uplifting mastery of artists and artistic projects that can hopefully inspire more and more appreciation of hard working artists.

Gary's new CD, "Poina 'Ole 'Ia (Unforgettable)"is a reflection of his diverse singing styles and interests. From traditional Hawaiian mele to Broadway tunes, songs old and new, Gary delivers his heart-stopping renditions that are sure to please. http://garyaiko.com/gapoina.shtml

Ryan “Kamakakehau” FernandezIf anyone could be described as having “Hawaiian heart and soul,” it would indeed be Ryan Kamakakehau Fernandez. Born in Little Rock, Arkansas, this 6 week old African American infant was adopted by Robyn Naeʻole and brought to the shores of Maui, Hawaiʻi. It is here that his new family and home shaped “Kamaka” into one of Hawaii’s newest & most refreshing talents. More: http://www.youtube.com/v/kvm08mtVJ0A

Her album "2 Guitars - The Classical Crossover Album" charted on #1 at Amazon.com in February 2015. It is a collaboration with leading classical guitarist Craig Ogden. In 2013 and 2014 she was on the "top 10 viral videos of the year" list in world leading Guitar World Magazine. Her Paganini Caprice 24 guitar duel video with Craig Ogden was major newspaper The Guardian´s "top 10 metal meets classical" list in October 2014. In January 2015 she was a judge on the Norwegian Grammy Awards in the Metal genre. She also performed at the NAMM show in Los Angeles and shared the stage with some of the most famous guitarists in the world at the Randy Rhoades Tribute Conctert in Anaheim, California.

The Commander-In-Chief has been a guest on major TV shows. She has been featured in major music magazines all over the world and on newspaper front pages. Her music has been played on BBC radio and on radios worldwide. She has played several major festivals and in 2014 she performed at the Musikmesse in Frankfurt and the NAMM show.

Her historic guitar recording and video of P. Sarasate´s "Zigeunerweisen Op. 20", never before recorded/played on guitar, was featured in world leading Guitar World Magazine and was on their Top 10 viral videos of 2013 list. It got more than 20 000 shares online the first 48 hours! It was also the first every professional recording with a cooperation between a metal guitarist and a classical guitarist. The single charted on number 1 on ITunes Classical chart in Norway. It also charted in many other countries.

Metal Hammer UK featured her as "one of ten modern guitar gods". Total Guitar Magazine said this: "It's a sad fact that when you think of shred guitarists, the majority of them will be men. Enter The Commander-In-Chief, a seven-string-wielding uber shredding female who's ready to melt faces and shatter stereotypes. This Norwegian Metal maiden has her eyes set to command and conquer the masses." Revolver Magazine featured her as "The hottest chick in Hard Rock".

Her Demo "Battle for the Mind" from 2010 and her official debut EP "Evolution" (2012) both received outstanding reviews and The CIC was praised for her innovative and catchy songwriting, advanced guitar playing and unique vocal range.

Canadian-Bulgarian soprano Adanya Dunn(b. 1990), is “superb at scaling the full range of human emotion through voice and gesture” (St. Albert Gazette). In April 2014, she graduated from the University of Toronto (UofT) Opera School with a Master of Music in Opera Performance with Honours, where she studied under the tutelage of Lorna MacDonald and Nathalie Paulin. Ms. Dunn also holds a Bachelor of Music in Voice Performance with Honours (2012) from UofT, where she also took courses in organic chemistry and physics.

“Soprano Adanya Dunn took the stage with a wonderful relaxed stage presence and delighted the audience with her engaging personality.
Ms. Horne guided her through Britten’s “The Salley Gardens”, slowing
the tempo and encouraging some sentimentality to good effect. We truly enjoyed her storytelling in Liszt’s “Die Loreley”. Shifts in dynamics and tempi made the performance even better.”

Culture Cultivation: Upholding Ancient, Modern and Future Traditions

In the blogosphere we are doing our sacred duty to give hard working artists a vehicle, and give the public witness to incredible beauty.

Coming from Hawaii going east we enjoyNushin Brooke Alavi, a composer in Los Angeles California of unique solo piano pieces.

‘RIVETING PLAYING THAT DRAWS FAVORABLE COMPARISONS WITH ARRAU AND POLLINI’

“Stewart Goodyear’s stylish, vitally communicative way with Beethoven manages to leap through the loud speakers and grab the listener by the scruff," says Jed Distler, Gramophone Awards regarding Stewart Goodyear’s Beethoven The Late Sonatas. “His spontaneous inflections of phrase never sound the least bit mannered... a kind of kinetic response to the composer’s combative, hair trigger dynamic contrasts... A riveting release on every level.”

‘CLASSICAL MUSIC IS A LIVING ARTFORM’

“My choice of classical music stemmed from a form of rebellion’, said Stewart Goodyear, talking with Jeannie Mellinger, ‘... It is timeless, it never ceases to move, titillate, shock, humor, and compel.”

The video clip below is from the new recording by Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra - The Galileo Project: Music of the Spheres which will be released on DVD in 2012. This segment features Jeanne Lamon, Julia Wedman, and Geneviève Gilardeau in the Vivaldi Concerto for 2 Violins, allegro and largo.

Tafelmusik, Canada’s award-winning orchestra on period instruments, has become an internationally recognized ensemble lauded by Gramophone Magazine as “one of the world’s top baroque orchestras.”

In January 2012, Tafelmusik launched its own independent label, Tafelmusik Media, which encompasses new digital, live performance, studio CD and DVD recordings...

At the heart of Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra is a group of seventeen remarkably talented, enthusiastic and dynamic permanent members, each of whom is a specialist in historical performance practice. Their collaboration results in a delightful transparency, vitality and richness of sound...

Noly Paa was born in the Philippines but grew up in Vallejo, California. He received a scholarship to San Francisco Conservatory of Music where he received a B.M. degree in musical performance. A short two week trip to Oahu began a life long love affair with Hawaii. Noly immediately packed all his belongings and has been living and performing in Hawaii since. He has released a recording of original songs titled Reflections which garnered several Na Hoku Hanohano nominations.

"I hope you can experience the beauty and wonder of these islands. The peace, serenity and family I have found living in Hawaii."